Suiō Genro (1717-1790) was a monk of the Myōshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism in the mid-Edo period. He was a disciple of Hakuin Keizuru and succeeded him as abbot of Shoinji Temple in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture. At first he called himself Keimoku, and later changed his name to Suiō. He also called himself Ukishima. His posthumous name was Zen Master Yusei Myoken.
After the age of 30, he had an audience with Zen master Hakuin and studied under him. His Zen style is described as “fine Tōrei and great Suiō.” Suiō’s calligraphy and paintings are characterized by his bold brushwork and boldness, while Tōrei’s are characterized by his respectful attitude toward his teacher Hakuin.
Suiō is said to have been an eccentric person who avoided socializing, drank, painted, and played go, and was friends with Ike Taiga.
